THE CAR IS THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

THE CAR IS THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

We thank our friends at Nielsen for granting us permission to reprint this informative article on how technology on wheels is reshaping how we connect to information and entertainment on the road.

Cars are big business, and as technology continues to permeate our lives, the auto industry is broadening its revenue base by tapping into consumers’ desire to stay connected from behind the wheel. The industry is also amplifying an array of connected car options across a swath of TV ads. And when you consider how personal a car purchase is, new connectivity features are helping automakers personalize content for everyone, from working moms in need of hands-free talk to twenty-something singles looking to score reservations at the local hotspot.

Regardless of tech preference, however, the modern car offers some form of connectivity for everyone—and that appeal is growing.In fact, of the 44% of future auto intenders who plan to purchase a new car within the next two years, 39% are very likely to purchase a connected car with built-in features. So what’s the draw? In most cases, it comes down to having what’s cool: 60% of future auto intenders say they’d like a connected car because they want to experience emerging technologies, 58% feel it will provide entertainment to passengers while on the road, and 43% say it will boost their productivity while they’re on the road.

The rise in connectivity options—whether for getting directions or checking engine diagnostics—also presents a unique opportunity for advertisers and marketers to reach consumers in the comfort of their own cockpits.

So who is the connected car user?

The study found the majority are men (58%), 42% are age 55+ and 62% have at least a college degree and 37% made more than $100,000 per year. More still, is the added convenience that connected cars can afford to drivers who spent ample time in their vehicles. In fact, 37% of connected car users say they spend 30 minutes to an hour in their cars on a regular basis.

CONNECTED SAFETY: ALERT TODAY, ALIVE TOMORROW

While money can’t always buy complete protection, connected cars can do a lot to bridge the gap. Safety is a predominant value among consumers and, as Nielsen’s study found, it’s among the highest-ranking features incentivizing them to buy a connected car. Among future intenders, 79% said they believe a vehicle’s safety features will make them feel safe. Users of connected car technologies also value crash notifications (64% very important), Internet-enabled navigation (58% very important) and safety alerts (51% very important). Connected car consumers also rated these same features as most important in their car-buying decision-making processes